Mega Millions Programs

I've always liked the question that comes in several different versions about what college programs would you start if you had the power. I like the magical genie version granting three programs while others like Jason Bryant equate the lottery winnings to such a hypothetical in his Short Time podcast segment. Well, after last night's drawing fetching zero matches the Mega Millions draw this Friday may near $600 million. So what programs would you start? Here's my list. 

Due to a scheduling issue with the expected guest on Episode 268 of the Short Time Wrestling Podcast, we had to change things up. So we called up USA Wrestling's Richard Immel and Bloodround's Tommy Baranoski to have an open discussion about pretty much anything. We kick off the show talking about how podcasting has been impactful to each of our various shows, then move on to talking about the impact Pat Summitt had on women's basketball and how wrestling has comparative impact with some guy named Dan Gable. We then tackle some listener questions, bleep out a few of Tommy's NSFW words and then just go completely off the rails with just fun conversation with three guys who like wrestling, but tie in other things with unbalanced and sometimes pointless rants. Thanks for stepping up guys! The Short Time Time Wrestling Podcast is proudly sponsored by Flipswrestling. Share your attitude and #BEHEARD at Flipswrestling.com. And if you haven't already, leave a rating and a review on iTunes. SUBSCRIBE TO SHORT TIME iTunes | Stitcher | Spreaker | iHeartRadio | TuneIn | SoundCloud | Google Play Music | iOS App | Android App | RSS JOIN THE TEAM And if you're a fan of the extensive and broad-based reach of the shows on the Mat Talk Podcast Network, become a TEAM MEMBER today. There are various levels of perks for the different levels of team membership. If you like wrestling content -- scratch that -- if you LOVE great wrestling content, consider becoming a team member. You'll get some cool stuff too. GET DAILY WRESTLING NEWS! You like wrestling news, right? Of course you do. Did you know you can sign up for FREE to subscribe to the Mat Talk Online DAILY WRESTLING NEWS e-mail newsletter that's published EVERY morning with the previous day's top news stories from outlets all around the globe. It's free and it's a great way to start your wrestling day. Almanac Time! Get the Cadet & Junior Nationals All-American Almanac, a 219-page digital download. It's available now and if you use the promo code "JB" you'll save $5 off the cover price. It's got every All-American EVER in Fargo (and the locations that were before Fargo) and every breakdown by year and state. Oh, you know this guy who says he placed at Juniors? Fact check him or her quickly by buying one now! Looking to start a podcast of your own? Get a free month with Libsyn by using the promo code MTO when you sign up. You'll get the remainder of the month from when you sign up as well as the next month free. It'll be enough time to kick the tires and lights some fires.

1) Notre Dame

Last week on Short Time, I answered the question with Notre Dame. Giving the emerging ACC another team (making 7) in another geographic area that produces wrestlers. The greater Chicago area that's within a short drive from Michigan & Ohio would not have trouble finding recruits. It's also a good academic school which is actually an advantage in wrestling unlike other sports. Also, the singlet possibilities would be fantastic. 

2) Florida State

It's about time Florida had a collegiate team and choosing  Florida State makes sense with the ACC conference to jump right in. Tallahassee is in the north of the state making travel to opens easier as well. Also, the uniform possibilities would be amazing. Recruiting in the southeast may sound like an initial challenge, but the weather and female talent may change recruits minds. 

3) Texas Christian University

The TCU Horned Frogs would be an excellent addition. Of course, Texas is the monster the wrestling community wants to gain a foothold in to the gigantic state. Any D1 school in Texas would be great to add. TCU gets the nod from me being in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. 

Honorable Mentions (while we are in fantasy land let's have some fun)

- Grand Valley State

Davenport is transitioning from NAIA to D2 after completing their first year of being a non-club program. Their heavyweight actually won the MSU Open last year pinning Thomas Haines (now of Lock Haven). GVSU is also in the Grand Rapids area and has been a club-team powerhouse for more than a decade and a half. West Michigan has produced a lot of great college wrestlers and they would be a tough team that could prominently feature overlooked recruits. 

- Western Michigan

Another homer pick I know, but another team in the MAC in a strong wrestling breeding ground would be a great addition to the D1 landscape.

- Louisville

Kentucky is not known for their wrestling, but the border city does have a great university with over 16,000 undergrads. Another ACC team in the midwest would be a great add. Looking at you Papa Johns guy. 

- Toldeo

Ohio does not really have a shortage of collegiate teams necessarily, but the idea the Rockets don't have a team in the MAC is a failure. The border city on the coast of Lake Erie is an ideal location for a wrestling program. More than 18,000 undergrads fill this campus and should they should have a team to root for. 

- Yale

C'mon Yale and get your shit together. The rest of the Ivy League sans Dartmouth has wrestling. Get it done. 

- Colorado

They are now in the PAC 12 in a state that is underrepresented on the D1 landscape. This should happen.

- Samford

The small school in the suburbs of Birmingham, Alabama may seem like an odd choice even for a fantasy list. My point is more schools should take a page out of the Edinboro playbook. Find a way to poach a couple people to lead your program and make a splash. If you're looking to use some money to athletically grow the name of your university, pouring money in to Football, Basketball, and Baseball to fight for recruits in the dirty south is a money wasting venture. Being the only D1 wrestling program in the deep south and needing just a recruit or two each year to pan out having your name splashed at Madison Square Garden is a much better chance at ROI.